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Why we should take Osama's olive branch ,It's the first step in winning the peace
SFGate ^
| 01/29/06
| John Arquilla
Posted on 01/29/2006 9:15:24 AM PST by Pikamax
Osama bin Laden's offer of a truce has sunk from sight without leaving a ripple, but it should have made waves.
When the audiotaped proposal was made 10 days ago, the White House dismissed it out of hand. That was a politically logical move, given the need to appear tough on terror at all times. An image of strength and determination may be particularly important in the months ahead because Republican Party leaders have put security issues at the heart of their 2006 congressional election campaign strategy.
But there are reasons why bin Laden's overture should be carefully weighed and thoughtfully debated.
The moral imperative that should drive us is a sincere desire to end the long suffering of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. Official figures suggest that 30,000 innocent noncombatants have been killed since March 2003 in Iraq alone. Many respected sources believe that this figure is grossly underestimated.
So if bin Laden were to call off his dogs of war, it would be a very good thing, saving lives by removing major elements in the insurgencies in both countries. Such al Qaeda withdrawals would sharply reduce the need for our forces to remain in these sad lands.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; binladen; leftistsucker; nevillechamberlain; obl; olivebranch; peaceinourtime; truce
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To: Pikamax
Amreican Military Heroes are at the location now...
lets look in at what is taking place........
as the professor says "here's the plan,
We are going to retreat since we are winning?
Our Military Heroes to
Officer of the Guard,
Sirs,
Arrest our dear professor, he's delusional.
61
posted on
01/29/2006 10:04:07 AM PST
by
no-to-illegals
(Every illegal employed is an American out of work.)
Comment #62 Removed by Moderator
To: no-to-illegals
and my tax dollars are at work here too?
Dang....I better contact that worthless bunch up on the hill again....
I'm certain my congress cares what is happening with my tax dollars.....
uh oh.....now I'm sounding delusional.
63
posted on
01/29/2006 10:09:14 AM PST
by
no-to-illegals
(Every illegal employed is an American out of work.)
To: Pikamax
To: Pikamax
The moral imperative that should drive us is a sincere desire to end the long suffering of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.
No, the moral imperitive that should drive us is the protection of the United States.
Truces are possible with conventional wars because of the verifiable nature of public leaders and their governments. We don't see Osama offering himself up in order to procure peace. The only reason for terrorists to be offering up a truce is that they are losing and need time to regroup.
65
posted on
01/29/2006 10:34:54 AM PST
by
kenth
To: Pikamax
Of course we should take bin Laden up on his offer of a truce. We should hold talks with him. And then when he shows up to talk, we shoot him.
66
posted on
01/29/2006 10:45:18 AM PST
by
bilhosty
To: Pikamax
John Arquilla is professor of defense analysis at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. I might suggest Mr. Arquilla take a semester of Islamic studies to understand the nature of the enemy.
He clearly is delusional about the nature of Wabbistism
67
posted on
01/29/2006 10:48:23 AM PST
by
Popman
("What I was doing wasn't living, it was dying. I really think God had better plans for me.")
To: Pikamax
Official figures suggest that 30,000 innocent noncombatants have been killed since March 2003 in Iraq alone. Many respected sources believe that this figure is grossly underestimated.An who exactly is doing all this killing? Why it's Osama's folks in al Queda! The Coalition isn't out there sending suicide bombers into crowded mosques and markets, and in many cases, it isn't the result of collateral damage from bombs that are targeting Coalition soldiers. It is bombs targeting new Iraqi soldiers and police officers, those men and women who have sworn an oath to protect and defend their fellow citizens.
The killing is strictly terroristic; to intimidate Iraqis into NOT moving toward democracy.
It ain't workin!
68
posted on
01/29/2006 11:37:58 AM PST
by
SuziQ
To: aculeus
We should be grateful this idiot is not part of the Administration."
John Arquilla is professor of defense analysis at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.
But he is helping to mold our nation's warriors.
He needs to be summerly execu... I mean fired.
69
posted on
01/29/2006 11:41:33 AM PST
by
philetus
(What goes around comes around)
To: Paleo Conservative
The refusal to understand our enemies by self proclaimed realists is rather sad.
They are so busying with their onanism of game theory that they refuse to look at what actually motivates people.
We are far more than materialistic beings.
70
posted on
01/29/2006 4:13:03 PM PST
by
rmlew
(Sedition and Treason are both crimes, not free speech.)
To: Paleo Conservative; Pikamax
71
posted on
01/29/2006 4:15:15 PM PST
by
AnAmericanMother
(Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
To: Pikamax
Neville Chamberlain Lives!
72
posted on
01/29/2006 4:16:29 PM PST
by
stocksthatgoup
(http://www.busateripens.com)
To: doug from upland
Ha! You beat me to it!
Great minds travel the same channels.
This Arquilla guy is an idiot. Hope his students aren't paying attention to him!
73
posted on
01/29/2006 4:16:29 PM PST
by
AnAmericanMother
(Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
To: philetus
But he is helping to mold our nation's warriors.
He needs to be summerly execu... I mean fired. You mean firing squad?
To: Paleo Conservative
You mean firing squad?"
Between those of us who don't live in a fantasy world...Yes.
75
posted on
01/29/2006 6:00:18 PM PST
by
philetus
(What goes around comes around)
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